Date: 4/7/24 7:38 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] [EXT]SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP--07 Apr 2024
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Hi, birders,
A group of 13 birdrs (from AZ, OR, and England) walked the Sierra Vista EOP dikes this morning, with bright sun and no wind, in vivid contrast with the weather of the past few Sundays. Better conditions led to better birding, with a leap up to 83 species, versus 53 species last week. Spring is obviously underway, with declining numbers of ducks and a dozen new arrivals for the year.
Shorebirds, swallows, and flycatchers were the main source of new arrivals. In addition to the usual Killdeer and Wilson's Snipe, there were three Least Sandpipers, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Greater Yellowlegs. An adult Black-crowned Night-Heron joined two Great Blue Herons, and the White-faced Ibis flock swelled from 9 birds last week to 55 birds this morning, all of them aloft at one point, moving in sedate loops before settling.
The flycatcher roster doubled, with Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbirds, and Western Kingbirds joining the Black Phoebes, Say's Phoebes, and the intensely Vermilion Flycatchers. Two different Cassin's Vireos were seen early in the trees around the animal shelter and front gate. This was only the 4th record for the Sunday EOP walks, and the first since 2019. It was a six swallow morning when a few Violet-green and Bank Swallows were spotted among the N. Rough-winged, Barn, Tree, and Cliff Swallows, all busily skimming over the cattail impoundments. The warbler count was four, with a Yellow Warbler and a dozen Lucy's Warblers augmenting the singing Common Yellowthroats and the calling Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Bird walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every Sunday morning. For the spring months (March-May) walks start promptly at *7:00 a.m.* Arrive early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign in with the guide--group size is limited to fifteen. Late arrivals will not have access behind the locked gates. Scopes are useful. Bring a hat and water--there is no shade nor any amenities on the walk route. There is a chem toilet in the parking area.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) of Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90. Look for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the north side of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing platform. Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
Cheers, Erika Wilson
-- Erika Wilson, Sierra Vista, AZ Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
